VISA Information

An appropriate VISA will be required for students from countries outside of the European Community for entry into the U.K.

ISE provide letters to assist students in acquiring a VISA and it is strongly recommended that all non E.C. students wishing to study contact the school in advance so that arrangements can be made.

Visas are only awarded to students who are registered on full-time courses (15 hours per week or more) lasting more than 6 months, whilst short term or Student Visitor Visas, are issued to students registered on courses of 6 months or less.

Student VISA explained

Non EU students studying on a full time course that is longer than 6 months will qualify for a student VISA. This VISA can be extended if you decide to enrol on another course. You will also be allowed to work part time (up to 20 hours per week) during school term time.

Students enrolling on courses 6 months or less will qualify for a student visitor visa (see below).

Student rule changes from 1 September 2007

A new VISA category of student visitor has been introduced for short term students who come to the United Kingdom to study on courses of six month duration or less.

The maximum period allowed to stay in the UK in this category is six months.

It is not possible for student visitors to extend their stay in the UK beyond 6 months. If they wish to follow a further course of study they must return to their home country to make an application.

Students who qualify for a student visitor VISA will not be allowed any type of work in the UK.

Extending a UK VISA

On the 1st August 2003 the UK Government introduced charges for all foreign nationals living in the UK and wishing to use the Immigration Services to extend their visas.

These changes mean that people applying for permission to extend their stay in the UK to study, will now pay a processing fee for their application. At present the cost for postal applications is £295.00 and for personal callers £500.00

Students wishing to avoid these charges should consider paying the full amount of their intended period of study when they first apply for a course. This would negate the need to apply for an extension later and thereby avoid the new processing charges.

UK Citizenship Exam

ISE offers the UK Citizenship Exam service to persons applying for UK citizen status or a full time Resident's VISA. The exam takes place in our main building so the whole process can be completed in one day.